MADRID - The public should have a say in the future of nuclear power in Spain, a government-led study concluded on Wednesday, after six months of discussions.
The Socialist government has pledged to wind down Spain's nuclear industry, which provides around 20 percent of the country's electricity.
However, with oil prices at around US$70 a barrel and Spain importing 80 percent of its energy needs, the country's economy is feeling the pinch from the trade gap to inflation. Many utilities are now focusing on renewable sources like wind and solar power.
Spain closed down one of its nuclear plants last month and has six left.
In a statement, the Industry Ministry said it was important to keep the public involved in the question of nuclear energy -- an emotive topic since the Chernobyl disaster in 1986.
"For this reason, it is advisable to intensify efforts to provide objective information about energy issues, specifically nuclear energy, so people can form opinions based on knowledge," the ministry said.
It added that Spain had to take decisions on the storage of nuclear waste as quickly as possible.
A full report on the talks, which involved more than 40 groups from the energy industry and pro- and anti-nuclear organisations, is due to be released in the next few days.
The ministry said that Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero would refer to its conclusions during the annual state of the nation debate at the beginning of June.
REUTERS NEWS SERVICE
